Examining 'relics' from our past

Recently, we took you into the ADOT "museum," a storage room in a nondescript government building in Phoenix. Today, we're taking a deeper dive into what we found there!

The collection was started more than 30 years ago by longtime ADOT employees Ed Green and Bob Harris. Here are a few items in the collection.

Detonator: This antique device was used to detonate controlled explosions when constructing new highway infrastructure. Eventually demolition experts began using electronic detonators. Today, they're done using smart devices. ​

Mascot: Did you know ADOT had a mascot? Called the "Highway Hawk" this costume was worn to public events and entertained crowds.

Crash helmet: This helmet was worn by drivers testing highway speeds.

Concrete milepost: You wouldn't want to crash into one of these. Mileposts used to be made with precast concrete and buried several feet in the ground.

Wooden signs: Today, highway signs are made out of metal, but at one time they were made out of wood, which didn't hold up to the elements very well.

Surveyors transit: This optical device was used by surveyors to measure horizontal angles when planning new highways.

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